Hockey Albury-Wodonga’s contingent of Victorian representatives performed well across various age groups at this year’s Australian Masters Championships.
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Matt Bardy took home gold in the over-40s, Deb Birrell (over-60s) and Yvonne Wolfe (over-65s) both won silver medals, while Tony Donnolley, Josh Pritchard, James Nelson (over-35s), Lyndon Robertson (over-50s) and Lesley Forman (over-55s) were bronze medallists.
Bardy, 40, played a key role for the Albury-Wodonga Spitfires this season and was thrilled to claim his first national title in a three-peat for the Victorian over-40s.
The side went through the week undefeated and came from behind to clinch gold at the death.
“We went a goal down early, managed to get back ahead and won on a short corner after the final siren,” Bardy said.
“I played in the 35s last year, James Nelson talked me into trying out and I wasn’t expecting to make it.
“I saw how good a comp it was and how good the atmosphere was.
“I actually only started training with the Spitfires for a bit of fitness and managed to get talked into playing.”
Dennis Martin was fourth in the over-65s, Brett Pontt (over-45s) and Ivo Mol (over-55s) were fifth, with Mark Hulme seventh (over-60s).
Despite missing the podium in a penalty shootout, it was an excellent event for Martin on a personal note, finishing as the player of the tournament for the over-65s and earning selection for the Australian side for next year’s Trans-Tasman series against New Zealand on the Gold Coast.
“I wasn’t sure initially, but after they announced I was man of the series for the over-65s, I thought it would be hard to get knocked back,” Martin said.
The Trans-Tasman tournament runs from April 30 to May 4 and features seven men’s and seven women’s teams from both Australia and New Zealand, starting from over-40s.
Martin will enjoy a short break from hockey, but will continue to keep fit playing veteran’s cricket.
“One of the things that played an integral part in the way I played was the fact I had put so much work in going over to Spain (for the Masters World Cup),” he added.
Following the Trans-Tasman series, Martin will travel with the Southern Cross Masters for the European Cup in Belgium.
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